The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

Year 1
Year 1 provides you with a broad introduction to both subjects.

Social Anthropology
You will study:

Social Anthropology 1A: The Life Course
This course is intended as an introduction to Social Anthropology. As well as encompassing life crisis moments and rituals of birth marriage and death the course includes such themes as:

gender
personhood
work and making a living
the house
consumption and exchange
health
the body
Social Anthropology 1B: Anthropology Matters
This course examines how concepts and ideas that have driven Anthropology help us shed new light on debates that are at the heart of contemporary questions about how our societies work.

Each week will include two sessions exploring a single issue and anthropological contributions to debates relating to that issue. The issues explored will vary from year to year examples include:

climate change
hunger
well-being
body modification
human rights
Social Policy
You will study:

Social Policy & Society
This course revolves around three main themes:

social needs
social problems
social rights
You will also examine how different debates about welfare have been influenced by these themes.

Politics of the Welfare State
This course examines social policy as a political issue in the UK. It introduces you to the politics of the area that constitutes one of the largest sets of government expenditure.

You will be confronted with debates about the different ways of delivering welfare and the interplay between the state and the private sector.

You will also choose two option courses.

Year 2
Social Anthropology
You will study:

Social Anthropology 2: Key Concepts
This course provides a historical overview of anthropological thought. You will be taught through an introduction to keywords that have helped to shape the development of Social Anthropology.

The thematic approach is designed to be engaging and stimulating and to help foster critical conceptual and theoretical skills. It will highlight the continued significance of key concepts and oppositions over time.

Ethnography: Theory and Practice
This course will introduce you to the theory and practice of ethnographic fieldwork. At the heart of this course is a collaborative project in which you will learn about qualitative methods by putting them to the test in practical group work. Their collective ethnographies will require them to write extensive field notes which will be assessed and during which students will learn to write effectively in an academic manner.

Social Policy
Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives
You will compare different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries

Evidence Politics and Policy
You will learn to critically assess how evidence is used or misused by different actors and in the media to influence public opinion.

Optional courses
Additionally you will choose two further courses either related to your programme or from another academic area.

Year 3
You will study compulsory courses including:

Analytical Perspectives in Social Policy
Imagining Anthropological Research (a dissertation preparation course)
You will also choose optional courses from a range of Social Anthropology and Social Policy courses.

You will also have the opportunity to conduct your own research in the summer break between Years 3 and 4. Your dissertation supervisor will help you to plan and develop your research project which can take place in the UK or overseas.

Year 4
You will study:

Culture & Power
This course introduces a range of anthropological approaches to politics. It provides a detailed examination of both open and hidden forms of power and their workings at the global state national community and personal level.

You will also use your research findings to complete an honours dissertation and continue to choose option courses.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it